Markberro

Hi, We are a family of 5 researching an RV trip from Breckenridge (collect RV in Denver) to Las Vegas from about 7 April 2018. Planning a `6 day trip via Moab, Horseshoe Bend, Grand Canyon South Rim. Any thoughts on:
- routes to manage both scenic experience and safety (particularly if we take 27-31 foot RV)
- any must stay campsites
- any RV size limits you would recommend
We would have liked to add Bryce and Zion but with the North Rim closed in April we need to prioritise and horseshoe bend and Grand Canyon South rim really attract from a scenery persepective.

I realise there are some similarities with the query of bjjadventure on Jan 5, 17. Our youngest has been desperate to RV for some time and very keen to find a way to make the RV trip work if possible.

A few of the RV companies allow Denver to Vegas as a one way trip without a OWF. We did also look at making it a round trip (so that we could do Bryce/Zion) but it just looks too packed (longest we could do is 3 April to 13 April.

thanks
Mark

Gretchen

Rather than the Utah sights how about going south and west and do Mesa Verde? You will have a huge natural sight with the GC. MV is a cultural wonder of the world, IMO.

tomfuller

Would it be possible to rent in SLC and use Alta as the skiing stop? After LV you could visit Zion or Bryce (not both) before returning the RV to Salt Lake City.

fmpden

Keep in mind that there is a potential to encounter winter and snow in early April in the mountains west of Denver. And those camp grounds could have a lot of mud the results of the snow melt. Probably need to plan a little more carefully regarding weather.

mlgb

I would recommend including Monument Valley in your route between Arches and the GC.
Can't help much with the RV part of the question but I know there are special websites for RV'rs.

EG this one where you can search and read reviews.

http://www.rvparkreviews.com/

Markberro

thank you @gretchen, @tomfuller, @fmpden and @migb I appreciate your replies. We are hiring ex Denver as we will stay with friends who live in Breckenridge (arrive there 29 Mar). I would happily spring ski, but family is keen on less skiing and we are all really keen on the natural wonders of SW America.
Getting south to Mesa Verde is a bit harder I think as we need to be near a major airport (planning Denver or Vegas) for 6 or 7 April to put eldest son on a plane to Chicago... We may consider a car one direction and RV the other if this works better time wise. Obviously this results in higher average daily costs for the RV (less days to absorb the preparation fees and potentially a one way fee) - but we will save on fuel and can cover the ground quicker/more flexibly.
We are definitely keen to do Monument Valley - even though I read mixed reviews on line it has always been on my "must see" list. Love the panoramas of this region.

Markberro

a variant I am considering - rent a small campervan (seating 5 but sleeping 2-3) and kids sleep in campervan, adults in a motel.... if we can find great motels enroute where the campervan can be parked outside the room.

mlgb

I don't think I would leave children alone in a campervan. If you want to rent just the smallest van, what about including a tent? One adult in each, bring a cot for the grown up in the tent.

jamie99

Campervans do not have toilets or showers and they still charge for extra miles just like an RV. Doesn't sound like fun to me with 3 kids.

janisj

How about renting a car and staying somewhere like this http://www.shootingstar-rvresort.com

An RV park where you stay in one of their airstreams and then visit places like Escalante and drive to Zion (about 125 miles) and do the rest of the trip by car. Bound to be cheaper and more comfortable than a full on RV trip but your son could still have the camping experience.

emalloy

I hope you have looked at the average temperatures at night where you plan to go. Southern Utah is in the 40's ( low teens) at night in April. Will your kids survive in the camper at night? Would you?

Generally you will be better off in a car and looking for inexpensive motels, typically found at major intersections near the highway. Look for ones that give a free breakfast to help with costs. If it's the camping experience you want be sure the RV has reliable heat.